“For ten months?” He shook his head in disbelief and slumped down on the bed. “God, the thought of you with him…” Jake closed his eyes. “The thought of you with anyone else…” His dark, tumultuous gaze met mine. “You were in love with him?”
“No.” I sat next to him. “That’s the reason we broke up. He told me he loved me but I didn’t love him. We weren’t right for each other, Jake. He didn’t want me to be a cop, and I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m a little crazy. He drove himself nuts worrying about me. And he… he was too concerned with how everything looked to everyone else. And…” I curled my hand around Jake’s neck, drawing our faces closer. “It was never passionate between us. It was just nice. And you have no idea how heartbreaking ‘just nice’ is when you know what ‘beautiful’ tastes like.”
“Yes, I do,” Jake whispered against my lips before closing his eyes again. He leaned his forehead against mine as he reached for my free hand. “This is how you felt watching me with Melissa?”
“Yes,” I whispered back.
Jake’s expression crumbled and suddenly he was cupping my face in his hands, his anguished eyes blazing into mine. “I am so sorry. I am so sorry I hurt you over and over again.”
“Jake…” I folded into him, wrapped my arms tightly around him as his enclosed around me.
“Every day,” he said softly, “I’m going to spend every day making it up to you.”
I sat in his arms for a while as he rocked us gently.
Finally Jake broke the silence. “Your dad? How did it go tonight?”
“You’re having dinner with us tomorrow,” I said, making the decision on the spot. No way would Dad change his mind about Jake if he didn’t spend time with him. I pulled back to look at Jake.
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Tonight,” I abruptly tugged up the hem of his T-shirt. Without questioning, Jake raised his arms and let me pull it off. “When you defended me,” I threw his shirt on my chair and slowly drew my own sweater up over my head, “it felt amazing. I don’t need anyone to fight for me, Jake.” I pressed a soft kiss to his waiting mouth, coasting my fingertips across his chest, my thumbs brushing his ni**les, my touch making him shudder. “But I have to admit that I like that you want to.”
“Always,” he said, arching his neck for me as my lips trailed kisses along his jaw and down his throat.
I caressed his abs with my hands, soft, gentle touches that accelerated his breathing. I flicked my tongue over his nipple and his hands clamped around my arms in reaction. “Let me.” I looked up at him.
His eyes burned with lust. “Torture me?”
I shook my head. “That implies you won’t to get play too. I’m just asking you to let me play first.”
Jake nodded, his excitement evident. “Whatever you want, baby. I’ve missed you.”
Kissing my way down his stomach, I felt my own skin start to heat and the pulse between my legs throb at the increase in Jake’s breathing. When I reached the low-slung waistband of his jeans, I traced the skin just above with my tongue, excited by the low, deep growl emanating from Jake’s throat.
His erection strained against his zipper.
“Let me help you with that.” I smiled up at him mischievously. “It looks painful.”
The look on his face almost broke me. His features were taut, his eyes fogged with desire, and everything in me wanted to answer it—just rip off his jeans and mine and jump him.
Patience was something I needed to practice.
Jake watched me, his intensity making me shiver with anticipation as I unzipped his jeans and pulled at the waistband of his boxers underneath. He tilted his hips off the bed, giving me easier access. I tugged his jeans and underwear down, pulling off his boots so I could remove his clothes completely.
He sat there, comfortable with his nakedness. And so he should be. I licked my lips, my eyes roaming his sculpted body and throbbing erection.
“I’m a lucky, lucky girl.” I grinned up at him, making him smile wryly back at me.
“I’m glad you think so.”
I shook my head as I stood up. “I know so.” I unclipped my bra, letting it drop to the floor. Jake’s eager eyes fastened on my naked br**sts as my ni**les tightened into hard buds.
Taking my time, I kicked off my boots, unzipped my jeans, and shimmied out of them. Wearing only my panties, I stepped closer so our legs touched.
Jake slid his hands up my outer thighs until they rested on my hips, his eyes devouring every inch of me. “I think you’ve got it the wrong way around.”
“What?”
“I’m the lucky one.”
I nodded solemnly. “Yeah, you are.”
He shook his head, seeming to marvel at me, a look that turned my insides to mush. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are?”
I smiled cockily and pointedly at his hard-on. “I have an inkling.”
Jake laughed, biting his lower lip as he hooked a finger into my panties. “Are these leaving us any time soon?”
Nudging his legs apart so I could step between them, I lowered myself to the floor. “Eventually. I have something more urgent on my mind, though.”
“Charley,” he said, breath short, his dark eyes flashing with excitement. “You don’t have to.”
“When have I ever not wanted to?” I reminded him.
His groan filled my ears as I took him into my mouth, sucking lightly at first at his warm, salty taste. I licked the pr**cum from his tip, teasing him mercilessly with my mouth until he begged me to stop.
I gave him what he wanted, sucking him hard as I pumped the base with my fist.
When I knew he was close, I stopped.
His chest rose and fell in pants as he stared at me in disbelief. “Why?”
I stood, only to crawl onto the bed next to him. I kissed him softly. “Now do me, but don’t let me come. Let’s save that.”
Understanding, Jake asked, “Delayed gratification, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“It f**king hurts,” he smiled ruefully back at me.
“But it’ll be worth it.” I lay back on the bed and watched him as he pulled my panties down very slowly, torturously so. I was already turned on from going down on him and didn’t think it would take much to climax. Jake had a challenge on his hands to stop before it happened.